IND vs ENG: Ravindra Jadeja Says, 'Hope R Ashwin Completes 500 Test Wickets in This Match'

Ravichandran Ashwin is just seven wickets away from completing 500 Test wickets after picking up three on the opening day of the first Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Thursday.

Ravindra Jadeja hopes that Ashwin manages to reach the mark in the match in Hyderabad itself.

IND vs ENG 1st Test Day 1 – HIGHLIGHTS

In fact, Ashwin and Jadeja, playing their 50th Test together, are India’s most successful Test bowling pair. The duo surpassed the legendary India spin pair of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh, who claimed 501 wickets together, with 506 wickets to their name.

“It will be a big achievement if Ashwin completes 500 Test wickets and I hope he gets it in this match. I am left with 25 wickets for 300 and it might take the whole series, but I wish Ashwin completes his 500 in this game itself and continues taking wickets for India,” Jadeja said during an interaction with JioCinema.

Most wickets by an Indian Bowling pair in Tests:

Jadeja, just like Ashwin, picked three wickets each in the England first innings here on Thursday.

“I really enjoy bowling with Ashwin, it is really helpful with two spinners bowling in tandem. We share a lot of messages around field setting, line and length and we are happy to contribute to India’s win. We really enjoy the competition,” Jadeja added.

India’s third spinner, Axar Patel, who also picked up two wickets, said he was just trying to complement senior partners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.

“I have learned a lot from seniors Ash and Jaddu bhai. I was trying to control the game from my end as they were bowling in partnership. They were taking wickets, so, I was not thinking about taking wickets,” he said.

“I know that if you are playing three spinners then one of them will get a lesser number of overs. They were also telling me what was happening on the wicket and what I should do. It is a privilege to bowl with them,” said Axar.

India were comfortably placed at 119 for one at stumps after bowling out England for 246 on the opening day.

Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was batting on a 70-ball 76 while Shubman Gill was unbeaten on 14 at the end of the day’s play, as India trailed by 127 runs after losing skipper Rohit Sharma (24).

(With inputs from Agencies)